Horse Passports (England) Regulations 2004 require all owners to obtain a passport for each horse they own. This includes ponies, donkeys and other equidae but excludes zebra and other non-domestic equidae.
After 28 February 2005, owners will not be able to sell, buy, export, slaughter for human consumption or use for the purposes of competition or breeding a horse which does not have a passport. If they have not already done so, owners of animals born before 30 November 2003 should take action now to apply for a passport so that they will not be restricted in using their horse as they wish after 28 February 2005.
Horses born after 30 November 2003 will require a passport by the 31st December in the year of birth or by six months of age, whichever is later. Owners already holding a passport should check to make sure it is fully compliant with the new legislation.
The introduction of the legislation brings the UK in line with laws across the whole of the European Union, including the accession states. The legislation underpins a robust control system to ensure that horses which have been treated with veterinary medicines not authorised for use in food-producing animals cannot be slaughtered for human consumption. Moreover, it will contribute to allowing the UK horse industry to continue to use such medicines on horse not intended for the human food chain. Veterinary authorities have stressed the importance of this measure for horse welfare in the UK. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland will be introducing similar legislation.
The microchip number and the diagram of your horse must be in the passport.
We strongly recommend that section IX of the passport is signed by the owner and co-signed by a competent authority to confirm that the horse is not for human consumption. If this section is not signed, the horse cannot receive some common medications (such as phenylbutazone or ‘bute’) or have a general anaesthetic. It is useful to have this section completed so that there are no concerns with this regulation in the event of an emergency. If you have any questions about this section please ask us, we are happy to co-sign this section as the competent authority to permanently sign your horse out of the food chain.
For further information and an application form go to www.gov.uk/horse-passport
